
- 96
- Biodynamic
- Organic
2024 Sorrenberg Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Sorrenberg is a 3-hectare vineyard in Beechworth, owned by Barry and Jan Morey. Surrounded by forest and bordered by Stony Creek, the site’s cool climate, granitic soil, and northern aspect provide ideal conditions for viticulture, ensuring full ripeness even for late-ripening varieties. Established in 1985, the vineyard focuses on Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Gamay, with smaller amounts of other varieties for their blends. The wines are crafted on-site using traditional methods, including fermentation in French barriques, with close attention to quality. Certified biodynamic since 2008, Sorrenberg emphasizes sustainable farming and low production to maintain exceptional standards.
This wine is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon, and 5% Sauvignon Gris. Most of the Sauvignon Blanc had 4 hours of skin contact before pressing, while the Semillon was pressed immediately after picking. The wine underwent 100% barrel fermentation, using mostly larger barrels, with natural yeast and malolactic fermentation. Extended lees contact enhances the mid-palate, adding depth and complexity. The 2024 vintage offers a bouquet of lemon, lime, and cucumber, with vibrant citrus flavors, crisp acidity, and a balanced, rounded mouthfeel leading to a lingering finish.
Alc. 13.5%
Other Reviews....
Due to the chardonnay having not much volume the SBS was released a bit earlier to compensate for wine in market. I was a bit worried, love the wine, like drinking it, love the slower approach, wondered how a Sorrenberg SBS wine would go in first year of release, but things seem damn fine. Growing and winemaking on song.
It’s definitely one of the leaner releases of this wine but in that you get to say ‘finesse’ and ‘precise’ over things that mean complexity and depth and similar. And in that not so much of an issue. You stack this up against other fine wine white blends, apex chardonnay, top flight riesling and it holds its own. And then some. It’s beautiful in its understatement, sleek lines, compact nature, refreshing feel, all lightweight stone fruits, faint green almond, halva, delicate alpine herbs. A pucker, gentle, lends shape, some pluck and sinew of grip through the finish. It made me think of all the top flight wine I love, and though in a more modest feel, I still couldn’t help but think how damn good this is. And how damn elegant. And refreshing and delicious and moreish. Fairy dust on that vineyard and winery. Drink 2024-2035.
96 points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front